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Topic: Heavy music: turn it up to eleven! (Read 10913 times)

The way I see it, there are only two kinds of music: good music and bad music. And good music comes in many flavors, not all of it tranquil and soothing... So who else on this board likes the occasional blast of heavy? And I don't mean Poison-esque cheeze-metal; I mean HEAVY heavy. Bands that would stomp Poison into the ground like insignificant ants.

I, for one, enjoy the sonic assaults of High Rise, Mainliner, Earthless, Heavy Winged, etc. There's something about a band teetering on the edge of control, everything as loud as it will go, just letting loose... which brings me to one of my favorite heavy bands ever, Skullflower. It seems their early catalog has finally been re-released in a very deluxe way. I have most of this stuff (I managed to rip my CD's before the infamous cd-rot set in), but I am psyched for unreleased stuff from their earlier sessions, and remastered versions of the rest:

"Finally available, a much needed CD retrospective of Skullflower's early works from 1986 – 1990 spread across four separate releases, featuring all the material previously released on Broken Flag, Shock, Majora and Forced Exposure, plus around two hours of previously unheard music – 14 of them spread across the series. And this is not 'out-take' dross used to fill up CDs, this is essential early Skullflower providing further insight into their uniquely twisted musical world. All material has been digitally mastered by Richard Whittaker at FX, and each CD comes in a deluxe gatefold card cover and inner sleeve with newly unearthed artwork by Matthew. Booklets feature extensive notes and previously unseen flyers, posters and photos."

Kino I: Birthdeath comprises the remastered first 12" EP, available in its entirety for the first time since 1987, plus six previously unreleased, unheard and undreamed of tracks.

Kino II: Form Destroyer includes the remastered first album - the best it's ever sounded, two 'bonus' tracks from Shock's long out of print RUINS and two previously unheard pieces. A truly monstrous disc of heavy, f*cked up music.

Kino III: Xaman includes the most requested early Skullflower release, the original CD rendered unplayable by disc rot for 20 years and the subject of endless drivelsome internet speculation... Finally remastered, with new cover art from Matthew's archive.

Kino IV: Black Sun Rising rounds up the first three 7" releases on Shock, Majora and Forced Exposure, the bonus track from THE PORTABLE ALTAMONT, plus six previously unreleased tracks including three from the XAMAN sessions.

So who else likes the RAWK? What other essential gems need to be in any heavy music fan's collection?

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I wish I was a Glowworm; a Glowworm's never glum. 'Cause how can you be grumpy, when the sun shines out your bum?

The side of me that likes "heavy" music leans more towards 1980's American/British punk rock than metal, death metal, etc. Some of my favorites include Bad Brains, Minor Threat, Crass, D.R.I., and 7 Seconds. I also have a soft spot in my heart for some of the heavy metal and rock bands I grew up with, such as Rush, Van Halen, etc.

I grew up with heavy rock /metal. I'm really out of the loop as to the 'scene' these days, but I listen to a great 'heavy' radio station here in the UK called 'Teamrock radio'. So I'm now becoming a bit more up to date with things.I have to say a lot of it is very samey - so much angst ! (and so little dynamics and colour). I think a 'heavy ambient' band would be most welcome - loud/soft/loud etc

I have to say a lot of it is very samey - so much angst ! (and so little dynamics and colour). I think a 'heavy ambient' band would be most welcome - loud/soft/loud etc

I agree; all that angst is a bit annoying. I think that's partly why I prefer bands with minimal vocals - just shut up and jam.

Isis and Opeth both have an ambient side to them (depending on how you define 'ambient' I guess.)

I've never cared much for the more song-oriented rock bands; I much prefer the total freakout freeform jam style bands. Skullflower's early stuff hits that sweet spot: drums and bass creating the scaffolding on which the feedbacky guitars hang. Enough structure to keep things from completely falling apart, but it always feels like it's gonna go completely off the rails at any time...

Earthless hit the spot too; much less 'noisy', but man can these guys jam:

And of course, High Rise:

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I wish I was a Glowworm; a Glowworm's never glum. 'Cause how can you be grumpy, when the sun shines out your bum?

Heavy music was my first love. I wasn't really interested in music at all until high school, and it was Tool's AEnima that finally did the trick.

Of late, I've really been into the work of Ben Sharp, who records under the name Cloudkicker. Complex, layered, angular, odd-time, HEAVY guitar work that nevertheless has a great sense of warmth and spaciousness, making the whole thing feel quite majestic. This stuff hits a lot of my ambient buttons, but in a very different way. There's a subtly-infused indie sensibility and a weird sort of nostalgia that accompanies the proceedings. All the heaviness aside, this is some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard. And, it's all instrumental, so no angsty grunting of pre-teen caliber poetry here.

A few choice cuts:

The heavy bit's in the middle, sandwiched between two lighter segues.

Awesome layering in the middle section of this one. Let it wash over you:

One of his first released tracks. That riff at 1:35 and 4:36...so epic:

Bear with the speed metal opening (if that's not your thing) and be treated to several tasty, majestic riffs, my favorite beginning at 1:07:

Only Heavy music Ive been into in recent years is Tool.......the videos below should come with some sort of warning. Makes Hellrasier seem like a kids cartoon IMHO. Kind of like the music better without the visual element. Thats just me.

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"Life is one big road, with lots of signs, so when you ride to the Roots, do not complicate your mind, ... " Bob Marley

Some heavy stuff (while being quite melodic as well) is some cascadian black metal bands (or just black metal/post rock, however you want to term it) is Falls of Rauros (Maine!), Endless Sea and Sky Burial (where four rivers flow is awesome). All of these 3 bands put out some good stuff, some of it free via bandcamp or netlabel. Check them out and others of their ilk. Also been listening to Lycum and Eye of Solitude (doom/death/funeral doom).

<rant on>I must be getting old (actually, I am old), a lot of the newer stuff really grates with me, especially the 'pop / metal' stuff, with all the bratty shoutings and the teenage (or what comes over as teenage) angst. The groaning stuff is better, but still not my cup of tea. As for guitartists - who are the killer axe-men these days ?, I've not heard much in the way of 'hot solos' of late.</rant off>

Yeah Pete, I know what you mean, you just don't seem to get those super guitar solos anymore, one great solo merchant who is no longer with us, Gary Moore, when I listen to him, he still sends shivers down my spine. IMHO he was the best guitarist ever.This guy isn't bad, band is a bit naff though-http://youtu.be/6QY9spAkwdw

Yeah Pete, agreed, but Gary's blues stuff is amazing, so much emotion and feeling.Schenker is great, I wanted to be Michael Schenker when I was younger, but I didn't have the blond hair . I think the UFO Obsessions album was when he was at his best, when he formed MSG, there was so much potential, but disapointingly, it was never reached imho.